From Boats on Galilee to Tears on the Tomb

by Steve Ray on February 1, 2013




Today was incredible and many had tears throughout the day. From a boat ride on Galilee to Mass at Capernaum; from the ascent into Jerusalem to going down into the tomb. It was a marvelous day!

The sea was calm and the boat ride smooth. No waves to cause fear and no one dared walk on the water. All of our faith must have been too small 🙂  But it was a great voyage to Capernaum for Mass. Along the way I told the story of my night fishing with Jewish fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.

I then gave my hard-hitting talk on the Eucharist – from my Baptist views to my Catholic conviction. I gave the talk with waves lapping near our feet in the place where Jesus said, “Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood.”

The nice ride up to Jerusalem was broken up by a stop for restrooms, coffee and ice cream. Fr. Bill told his vocation story and I told my conversion story. 

We arrived in Jerusalem just in time for a potty break and off we walked from our Notre Dame Hotel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I had arranged a Solemn Entry for your group. All the crowds had to step aside as the Franciscans escorted us in with organ music, Latin singing and great pomp and circumstance into the Church. 

After the Provincial gave us a rousing welcome we all entered the tomb 4 by 4 to witness for ourselves that the Tomb is still empty. Not a few came out with tears streaming down their cheeks. 

Dinner at Notre Dame and a lot of discussion and friendship ended a marvelous day. Tomorrow we spend the whole day in Bethlehem.

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Part 2:



6 Comments

  • Rita & Dave Dryden says:

    Hi Jean & Larry Skendzel,
    Wow! What a fabulous day in your travels: the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum & the Holy Sepulchre! Then nite-nite at the Notre Dame Hotel. I bet you thought you were closer to home than you are. Steve should know that you own part of the University of ND. It has been wonderful seeing “in person” many of the places we have learned about in Scriptures.
    It may be a couple of days till our next greating to you, as Rita and I are going to Indy to visit Wynn and Dick for the weekend. Dick is doing very poorly health-wise, and we are humbly asking your group to remember him in your prayers.
    All for now. Love ya!
    Rita & Dave

  • Mary says:

    What a fantastic, moving and emotional day you had and what a wonderful spiritual journey you are on. Mom and Dad you are on the journey of a lifetime and we love and miss you very much. I know you may be homesick but you only have three more days to enjoy the most holiest city on earth. Envy does not begin to describe our feelings watching the videos and seeing you on your journey. It brings the bible to life and I can’t wait to see the photos and hear your description of the fabulous places you have seen. We love you and miss you and will see you on Wednesday. Mary

  • Rita & Dave Dryden says:

    Jean,
    I forgot a thought in my earlier blog. How did you handle the fish dinner with the head still on? HA, HA! Continue to have a great time!!
    Love ya, Brother Dave

  • Anne Cnockaert says:

    Hi again to Mary Cnockaert! We were so excited to see your smiling face on the video yesterday. Thanks for the shoutout 🙂 What a wonderful time it looks like you’re having! And so much bread to mangia mangia! Sneak some back for us 🙂

    Love you bunches –
    Anne, Susan, Emily, Tim & Nisha

  • Lincoln Howell's says:

    Just wondering of you found a Panera yet? Love the videos!

  • Dave Morris says:

    Hi Mom and Dad! It was great to get to talk with you on the phone today, it sounds like you’re having a great time there. Dad, have the priests gotten sick of your jokes yet, or is Mom really not letting you tell any? Did you try the one where the rabbi, the priest and the minister walk into a bar, and the bartender looks up and says…

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